Gaming monitors have been pushing refresh rates higher and higher in recent years, but Antgamer, a sub-brand of HKC, is taking things to an extreme. The company has teased a 1000Hz backlit display that is scheduled to launch in 2026. This comes not long after it revealed the ANT257PF, a 750Hz monitor priced at around $1,110, which is already well beyond what most gamers need.
The new 1000Hz prototype is not just about hitting a flashy number. Antgamer has introduced a zoned backlight system that divides the display’s backlight into multiple sections, each controlled independently. Instead of the entire backlight turning on and off at once, these zones can sync with the refresh cycles, resulting in sharper visuals and better contrast.
further improve clarity, Antgamer is also adding Black Frame Insertion (BFI). This technique inserts black frames between actual frames, reducing the blur caused by our eyes holding onto the previous image for too long. Combined with fast backlight strobes in each zone, this technology could make 1000Hz gaming feel smoother than ever before.
Now, the big question – do we really need 1000Hz? For most gamers, the jump from 240Hz to 500Hz already feels more than enough, and even esports professionals rarely complain about refresh rate limitations at those levels. The truth is, achieving a stable 1000Hz will require extremely powerful hardware, and it may only make sense for niche use cases in competitive gaming or research.
Still, it is exciting to see companies like Antgamer experiment with such technology. While the average gamer may never fully benefit from 1000Hz, these innovations often trickle down and improve mainstream displays in the long run. Whether this ends up being a true game-changer or just another spec war milestone, only time will tell.
Antgamer plans to launch the 1000Hz backlit display in 2026, and until then, its 750Hz monitor remains one of the fastest options available, if you are willing to pay the premium price.
